TULSA, OK - The Tulsa Oilers announced today the signing of a forward Ryan Menei for the 2012-13 season.

Menei, who spent last season with Cortina SG of Italy’s Serie A, was selected as a finalist for the CHL’s Most Valuable Player Award for his outstanding play with the Rapid City Rush during the 2010-11 campaign. As a member of the Rush, the Manitoba native tallied career highs of 39 goals and 48 assists. Menei also led the team in plus/minus rating (+25), powerplay goals (11), powerplay points (25), and game-winning goals (7). During his time with the Rush, Menei registered the second playoff hat-trick in franchise history and posted a 13-game point streak, the longest in Rush history.

“Ryan is the kind of player we were missing last season,” said Ramsay. “I’m excited to have him on our team because he can consistently put the puck in the net and he’s proven himself at this level of hockey. He’s going to make us a more powerful offensive club and I think he can have a big year here in Tulsa.”
Menei, a six-year veteran of pro hockey, played for Ramsay as an amateur with the Muskegon Fury at the end of the 2006-07 season.

“I’m thrilled to be re-united with Ryan,” Ramsay said. “He’s an elite player and he’s only 25 years old so he’s still got several good years ahead of him.”

Before beginning his professional career in 2007, Menei spent four seasons in the WHL with the Moose Jaw Warriors and the Saskatoon Blades. In three seasons with the Blades, the 5’11” 203- pound winger averaged 38 points and led the team with 77 points during the 2006-07 campaign.